Flooding brings traffic chaos to Reading

Traffic is gridlocked around Reading this morning due to Sonning Bridge being closed because of flooding.

Traffic is gridlocked around Reading this morning due to Sonning Bridge being closed because of flooding.

Playhatch Road, in Sonning Eye, is closed in both directions resulting in extra pressure on alternative routes and causing delays of up to 30 minutes on buses serving Caversham.

The Environment Agency has issued more flood warning on other parts of the River Thames in the area.

Goring and Streatley has been added to the list with properties close to Cleeve Lock most at risk.

Purley Village is also on a flood warning with reports of some houses already affected by flooding. Bus services to the village are stopping at Purley Post Office.

There is also a warning on the Thames at Shiplake, Lower Shiplake and Wargrave.

The flood warning still exists on the Thames at Reading, Caversham and Mapledurham and the Environment Agency says river levels are continuing to rise.

Loddon Bridge park and ride is closed again and trains between Reading and Oxford are being delayed by up to 45 minutes due to flooding in Oxford.

Commuters are also suffering some delays and cancellations on services between Reading and Paddington.

Sandbags have been distributed to vulnerable areas, including Lower Caversham, and firefighters have had to rescue a number of people from their cars after they became stranded in flooded roads.

Commuters have been suffering gridlock on the roads and lengthy delays on the trains because of the wet weather.

The Environment Agency issued a flood warning for the Thames in Reading, Caversham and Mapledurham on Monday morning.

Lydia Wyeth, from the Environment Agency, said yesterday: “In the Reading area the river levels are due to rise over the next 48 hours and remain high until the weekend.”

“There is one flood warning in Reading, Caversham and Mapledurham so people should be prepared for it.

“We would urge people to remain vigilant and if they are not already signed up to our Floodline to do so.”

The Floodline number is 0845 988 1188.

Reading Borough Council delivered sandbags to streets in Lower Caversham on Monday afternoon in response to the flood warning.

Officers visited the most vulnerable householders to provide reassurance and assistance.

A pathway leading off Mill Green has flooded but yesterday the properties appeared to be safe.

Kathie Summers and her neighbours in Mill Green have been keeping a close eye on the river level and deployed some of the sandbags as a precaution.

But she said: “To be honest we have seen the river this high lots of time before so I would say I’m not too worried at the moment.

“I was quite surprised when they gave the sandbags out, but I guess they are being extra careful.”

A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, of Heron Island, said the weir near her house has been eerily quiet as the water is now all at one level.

She said: “I think we have got to compare river levels with the 2003 and 2007 floods and that gives us some comfort because I don’t think we have got there yet.

“I think everybody is aware that they have to be vigilant and I’ve been keeping a close eye.”

The water rescue unit, which had been on standby in Gloucestershire last week, has been back in action in the Reading area.

Firefighters from Mortimer, together with the water rescue unit and command vehicle, were called to Cross Lane, in Wokefield, at about 7pm on Sunday.

Two people were trapped inside their vehicle after flood water had come over the bonnet.

A mother and baby were rescued from their car after becoming stranded in flood water in Sandford Lane in Woodley on Monday morning.

Crews from Caversham Road station and the command vehicle from Dee Road were sent to the scene along with crews from Wokingham Road and Whitley Wood at about 9.30am.

A man was rescued from his car at about 9pm on Monday after it became stuck in flood water in Station Road, Wargrave.

Drivers are being urged not to attempt to negotiate flooded roads and to definitely avoid fords until water levels have dropped.

Station manager Jess James, station commander at Caversham Road, said: “We have not had any tragedies yet but we are still seeing people attempting to drive through floods when they have no idea how deep the water is.

“Our advice is that people do not attempt to drive through floods.

Even if they have to take an alternative route, it is much safer to do so rather than risk losing their car or even their life.

“Only drive if your journey is really necessary and be prepared to take longer to get to your destination.”

The Met Office forecasts mainly dry weather in Reading today followed by some showers tomorrow.